Michael J. Frevola is a litigator specializing in the areas of admiralty and commercial litigation. He has tried cases, argued motions and briefed and argued appeals before federal and state courts. He has represented clients in federal mediations and maritime and commercial arbitrations and has conducted shipboard and overseas investigations in support of maritime litigation and to perform owners' due diligence.
In the admiralty and maritime field, Mr. Frevola focuses on Rule B maritime attachments and Rule C arrests, lien priority and maritime bankruptcy disputes, charter party disputes, seamen's wage and penalty wage disputes and collision litigation. In the context of Rule B maritime attachments, Mr. Frevola has represented plaintiffs and defendants in numerous proceedings involving both the attachment of electronic funds transfers and other assets such as vessels, cargo, bunkers, bank accounts and other property nationwide. He has been published and has spoken multiple times internationally regarding Rule B maritime attachments. In the lien priority/bankruptcy context, Mr. Frevola has represented lenders in several significant bankruptcies or workouts, including the Millenium Seacarriers bankruptcy adversary proceedings. In the charter party context, Mr. Frevola has represented numerous tanker owners and bulker owners in disputes related to claims concerning freight, deadfreight, demurrage, misdelivery, vessel underperformance, unseaworthiness and other breaches of charter parties. In the wage dispute context, Mr. Frevola has defended shipowners in crew wage class actions.
In the commercial litigation and arbitration fields, Mr. Frevola concentrates on real property foreclosures, predatory lending claims, defense and judgment enforcement proceedings, commercial arbitrations concerning claimed breaches of various sales or franchising agreements and issues pertaining to First Amendment rights.
Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Frevola served as an officer in the United States Navy from 1988 to 1992 aboard the USS Santa Barbara (AE 28). While aboard the Santa Barbara, Mr. Frevola gained extensive experience in the areas of deck and cargo operations, engineering, navigation, shiphandling, damage control and shipboard helicopter operations. He participated in numerous naval evolutions and exercises, including operations "Desert Shield" and "Desert Storm."
Mr. Frevola served as the managing editor of articles of the Hofstra Labor Law Journal while attending Hofstra University School of Law.
Representative Engagements